Racing on Saturday in the UK and Ireland takes place at Chelmsford (AW), Chester, Gowran Park, Haydock, Killarney, Newmarket and Ripon. Over in France, it is the opening day of the Arc weekend at Longchamp.
One of our fancies comes in the Group One Middle Park Stakes where Aidan O’Brien is bidding for a record-extending eighth success. His latest two-year-old star can put down a strong marker for the 2,000 Guineas next season with victory at the highest level at Flat racing’s HQ.
Selections, Saturday Sept 30th
Chester 14:05 – Emiyn @ 9/2
EMIYN is a three-time winner at Chester, this is a racecourse he often produces his best at, as he showed 12 months ago when winning this race after making every yard of the running, despite being handed a terrible draw in stall 16.
Declan Carroll’s stayer made all once again when he scored at this tight racecourse over the shorter trip of 1m6½f two starts ago. He was unable to successfully follow up at Goodwood where the 2m4½f trip looked like a stretch too far for him.
The six-year-old features on the Betfred Betfinder as one of the Most Napped selections today. With a perfect draw in stall one and 5lb claimer Zak Wheatley on his back again, he can win the Watergate Cup for the second consecutive year.
Newmarket 14:25 – Jasna’s Secret @ 2/1
Unbeaten French filly JASNA’S SECRET has travelled across the channel for the Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket, and she can justify the confidence shown in her by her connections in what will be the toughest test of her career so far.
The daughter of Galiway has won both of her two races so far at Deauville. She prevailed on ‘Soft’ ground on her debut over 6f, while a month later, the ground was much better when she looked even more impressive at the same venue, scoring by three lengths.
Christophe Soumillon has been booked for the ride on the talented filly and, with more improvement likely from the French horse, the pair can get the better of their rivals in this Group One field.
Newmarket 15:00 – River Tiber @ 5/2
The vibes out of the Ballydoyle yard this season suggest RIVER TIBER is one of Aidan O’Brien’s leading two-year-olds and, on the evidence of what we have seen so far from this horse, it is hard to argue against that.
The Irish colt won his third straight race when he beat 19 other rivals in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot back in June in what was his first outing over 6f. He seemed to get better as that race progressed, which indicates he will appreciate a step up in distance in the future.
O’Brien’s runner went into the Group One Prix Morny with a setback, but he still appeared at Deauville in France, finishing a close third.
He will get his opportunity to reverse the form with Vandeek here and, with a much better preparation this time around, expect to see him back to his best.
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